The Hindu : National : India, Sri Lanka agree to set up Joint Working Group

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 07, 2004

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National

India, Sri Lanka agree to set up Joint Working Group

By Amit Baruah

The Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, with the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at his residence in New Delhi on Saturday. — Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

NEW DELHI, NOV. 6. India and Sri Lanka have agreed to set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) which could meet frequently to deal with issues relating to straying fishermen, work out modalities for prevention of use of force against them, the early release of confiscated boats and explore possibilities towards bilateral arrangements for licensed fishing.

A joint press statement on the visit of the Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, to India said the two countries also agreed to continue with the existing understanding on the humane treatment and early release of detained fishermen. They also consented to expedite the signing of a MoU on fisheries.

Ms. Kumaratunga, who met the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and the former Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee, today, will leave for Bodh Gaya on Sunday before returning home. She has also held discussions with the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and the Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee.

The two countries agreed that a bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement and the MoU on the Rehabilitation of the Airfield in Palaly would be signed between the two Governments on mutually convenient dates. "The Indian side also agreed to carry out the refit of the Sri Lankan naval ship `Sayura' and underwrite the costs," the statement said.

On peace efforts in Sri Lanka, India, for its part, reiterated its support for the process of seeking a comprehensive, negotiated settlement acceptable to all communities of Sri Lanka, and reflecting the pluralistic nature of Sri Lankan society, within the framework of a united Sri Lanka and consistent with democracy and respect for individual rights.

"India maintains an abiding interest in the security of Sri Lanka and remains committed to its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. India favours the early resumption of negotiations pertaining to the peace process. Any interim arrangement on administration should be an integral part of an enduring final settlement that maintains the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and ensures the safety, well-being and prosperity of the people," the statement said.

Sethusamudram project

On the question of the Sethusamudram canal project, it was agreed that an exchange of views on the economic and environmental aspects in relation to Sri Lanka would be arranged between the technical experts of India and Sri Lanka.

The discussions reaffirmed the traditional convergence of views between the two countries on a range of international issues. "Both sides remain deeply committed to opposing terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They agreed that there could be no justification for terrorism, be it political, religious or ideological."

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the dynamism and energy in bilateral economic ties since the entry into force of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA) in March 2000.

They expressed happiness that bilateral trade had exceeded $1.5 billion in 2003-04. Consideration would be given to establish a Joint Working Group to review any practical problems arising out of the implementation of the FTA. They resolved to inject impetus to the process of further economic integration of the two economies by expediting negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries.

The Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, agreed that the $100 million credit line offered by India for the development of rural infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka would be used for setting up of vocational training institutes in various parts of the country ranging from the south to the north-east, rural feeder roads, water supply development schemes, community development projects, rural telephony and refurbishing of the road between Anuradhapura and Trincomalee, which is to be named the Rajiv Gandhi Amity Highway.

The Sri Lankan side proposed that a lecture titled "Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Oration" should be jointly organised annually by the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) and the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. The first lecture would be delivered by Ms. Kumaratunga. It was also suggested that a unit be set up in the BCIS titled "Centre for India Sri Lanka Studies". The Indian side welcomed the proposals.

The utilisation of a $150 million credit line for the purchase of petroleum products, signed on October 15, was also discussed during Ms. Kumaratunga's visit. It was noted with satisfaction that the Indian offer of a grant of $ 7.5 million to build a state-of-the-art cancer hospital would be expedited by the visit of an Indian technical team to Sri Lanka next week.

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